Did The Police Need To Apologise?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3582287/Suicide-bomber-blows-Britain-s-second-biggest-shopping-mall-chilling-night-anti-terror-training-exercise-featuring-thousands-volunteers-playing-victims.html

/// Manchester University Diversity Officer Ilyas Nagdee posted: 'Stupid decision by @gmpolice to decide attackers should be seen as Muslim. Maybe that's why Islamophobias gone up 300% in the UK.' ///

Pleased to note however that they took the health and safety of the victims very seriously, noticing the eye protection glasses.

[andy-hughes]

Yes - stereotyping is divisive and unhelpful.

[trt]

Good God NO, Why should they.

I have never heard any other shout or cry from other terrorist organisations before they throw or blow themselves up.

And we have to remember this operation happened in the UK, so why the apology?

[Baldric]

A little added realism, PC gone mad
(no pun intended)

[dannyk13]

The perceived threat was most likely from ISIS or Al Quaeda which are both Muslim factions so no need to apologise.

[Zacs-Master]

I'd hardly call their apology 'grovelling'. But yes, it was necessary.

[youngmafbog]

Not necessary at all. These Muslims need to understand the greatest threat comes from THEIR religion.

They are a minority here, get used to it or get out.

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

If you heard that there was a terrorist attack taking place, who would you immediately think was responsible?

Now tell the truth Andy.

[Svejk]

What do 'they' want them to shout? 'Merry Christmas' perhaps.

[youngmafbog]

No, your not allowed to say anything remotely 'christian' !

[andy-hughes]

Svejk - //What do 'they' want them to shout? 'Merry Christmas' perhaps. //

Was there a need to shout anything?

Could not the threat be generic?

After all, if Basque separatists decided to mount a suicide bomb campaign, we'd hate the police to be off guard because the 'correct' shout was not given out first.

[anotheoldgit]

Zacs-Master

/// I'd hardly call their apology 'grovelling'. But yes, it was necessary. ///

It was both 'grovelling' and 'kowtowing'.

[youngmafbog]

Dont be bloody ridiculous Andy.

Given recent events it was a perfectly reasonable shout. It is the Muslim religion that has declared war on the UK not the Spanish separatists.

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

/// After all, if Basque separatists decided to mount a suicide bomb campaign, ///

Why would the Spanish Basque separatists mount a suicide bombing in this country?

[andy-hughes]

youngmafbog - //Dont be bloody ridiculous Andy.

Given recent events it was a perfectly reasonable shout. It is the Muslim religion that has declared war on the UK not the Spanish separatists. //

Point one - your statement about 'war on the UK' is untrue.

Point two - there is no need to be rude because you don't agree with my view.

Point three - abusive language is not appropriate.

[Svejk]

Point 4. You'd drive a saint to murder.

[anotheoldgit]

Perhaps the native Indians should be offended, when we shout 'Geronimo' before parachuting?

[Zacs-Master]

AOG
Your definition of grovelling must be in line with your beloved DMs

''However, on reflection we acknowledge that it was unacceptable to use this religious phrase immediately before the mock suicide bombing, which so vocally linked this exercise with Islam.
'We recognise and apologise for the offence that this has caused.'

Grovelling?

[andy-hughes]

Svejk - //Point 4. You'd drive a saint to murder. //

Thanks for your input - do you have something to add to the debate?

[Mamyalynne]

Maybe the apology was not strictly necessary but definitely the right thing to do.

[andy-hughes]

Mamya - //Maybe the apology was not strictly necessary but definitely the right thing to do. //

I'd agree entirely.

There seems to be a school of thought that simple courtesies should not be available to people deemed unworthy of them - and that does include Muslim people.

An apology smooths the way, and doesn't take ten years off anyone's life.

An approach of "I didn't mean to upset you, and may have done so unwittingly, but if I did, then I am sorry ..." seems to offer the sort of British approach to getting along with people that is a wonderful example to a culture which maybe does not operate that way at the moment, but may in time see the advantages, and come to do the same.